Thread: The leg work begins.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Anyone travelling from Rockhamton to Melbourne soon?

No, but I am planning to drive to Braidwood, and a few guys from Victoria (who may well be willing to onward transport) are going to be there as well, end of October if that'll help?
I do have to get the 109 registered by then, of course!
Whatever it is will have to fit in the back of the 109 & be gotten to me on the Gold Coast somehow, or I'm around Brisbane a couple of times a month if that helps any.

So, for those that know me and consider me a 'softy' for owning and driving 2 x Range Rovers, I have decided to put those malicious rumours to bed by buying this Series III off Alien.

Alien & Mick Marsh saved this from the scrap heap because they rightly thought it was just too good a vehicle to let that happen to. Alien wanted to see it go to a home that would do the right thing by it - and I certainly will do that.

This is not my first Series - my first 4x4 was a IIA shorty, which I have always regretted selling. I will be spending as little as possible to start with to get it registered, then I'll have a think about where to go from there. There is still some unknowns about getting this registered, as there it seems it may not have been registered with the red motor in it, so I still have a bit of research to do. Surprisingly, Vicroads have been very helpful in trying to sort thing out and pointing me in the right direction.

One thing is certain - I will be leaving as much as the patina it currently has well alone - it has some surface rust on some parts & faded paint, and it looks great. The chassis seems to be in very good condition, apart from the gearbox crossmember that has had one hell of a thump and needs completely replacing - that will be the biggest job to get it road worthy I think. Everything else looks superficial. A few oil leaks, some bushes, tie rod ends, brakes, and a bit of wiring work and she should be all go. - all the usual stuff.

When I rolled up this arvo to my mates workshop with this on the back of the truck, the comments (From Jap 4x4 owners) were awesome - they all thought it looked great and was a REAL 4WD.

Don't check back too often on how this is going - I have moved it to a mates workshop for storage until I am allowed to bring it home (I have a few other projects to complete before I start on this on - so SWMBO tells me...)

I'll post details as they happen - to start with how/if I can get it registered.

Cheers - Gav

Hey!
Who said you could remove the tea trolley!
Where am I going to put my tea and biscuits now?

I'm sure you will think of something mate - there is a big gap in the driveway now - better get in quick - someone else in the house there said they would finally be able to park their car there...

Alien thought he may be able to move your truck over a bit so you had more room to work on it...

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Hey!
Who said you could remove the tea trolley!
Where am I going to put my tea and biscuits now?

I assume this is an in house joke, something to do with wing tops I suspect

Great to see it is still being thought about, maybe registered one day

Mrs hh

Originally Posted by The ho har's

I assume this is an in house joke, something to do with wing tops I suspect

Great to see it is still being thought about, maybe registered one day

Mrs hh

Indeed - the series was sitting next to Mick's new project - a 53 Ex Mil Inter. It was a convienient place to rest things - cuppas, arms, etc while considering stratagies for getting the old beast going.

As soon as I can work out how to register it, I'll make a start at getting it done before they change their minds. I'm sure that I will end up a couple of nights a week poking about with it - getting it to go and stop will be a good place to start...

I'm happy to see it go to a new home.
Might even get to see it back on the road one day


I'll miss being able to put tools ect. on the back while working on cars though.
That and the bumper was good for coffee cups and biskets while working on Mick's toy(1964 Gav.).
Might have to get somthing else to fill the void, just don't tell SHMBO

So, all systems go!

Been on the phone for ages today with Vicroads and an Engineer. As we thought, it has never been registered in Vic before, and never with the holden motor in it. So, I will need a VASS certificate to register it. Good news is that is legit, not stolen and all the numbers (apart from the ESN) fit with what the computer says. Spoke to a local Engineer who is accredited to do these, and he was very helpful - happy to spend nearly 20 minutes on the phone going over what is required. He said it was rare for people to ring up BEFORE the started moddifying things, and said it was a refreshing change.

A lot of what is needed I knew about from when I put a 202 in my old IIA, but things will be a lot easier with the series III as it already has most of what is required - seatbelts, demister, etc, etc. The home made engine mounts are fine as lot as they are well made - which they seem to be.

Being that this was originally a 6 cylinder, then there are no dramas with the front cross member having been modified. The brakes should also be up to the task, but it will have to pass a brake test to prove it meets 1974 standards.

He has no problems with me fabricating a new gearbox crossmember and fitting it, as the original is mangled.

Seat belts will need to be retractable, but he can supply these - custom made with the required mounts for about $120 each - pretty good value I think.

All in with a RWC, I probably won't see any change out of $2K for the VASS , so quite a bit, but worth it to get it back on the road I think. He doesn't have a problem if it looks a bit shabby - I have explained that I want to leave it looking as original as possible, and he is fine with that.

He is happy for me to call him at any time, or drop in with the car if I need advise on any part of it.

So, all I have to do now is finish the Rangie, build a carport, extend the verandah and put the spa in, mow the back yard and I can start on it!!!

I'll probably start a new thread when I'm ready to start the rebuild.

Cheers - Gav